Several weeks ago Zachary and I went to "The Country Living Fair" at Stone Mountain with a friend of mine. It was my first time attending the festival. And, I was quite impressed with the quality of product the booths offered. It was quite different from St. Mtns famed "Yellow Daisy Festival" which has a more hand made, crafty feel. In comparison the CLF vendors sold items that you would find in a brick & mortar design store. One of my favorite finds was in a booth that sold re-purposed quilt photo mats. I had a hard time choosing between all the options! Ultimately I loved the sentiment on this blue quilt piece. It reads "You smiled and that's all I've seen of my heart" Aww, so very true!! This morning, I couldn't resist the pre-Christmas sale at Khols department store! I was excited to find excellent deals on plenty of things that I couldn't resist ;)) (I hope Matt isn't reading this post) One of them being the frame for this very special photo quilt....now, where to hang it?!?

This past weekend we went to Gatlingburg, TN for our first family (of just us) long weekend mini vacation. We had a wonderful time exploring Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. There is so much to do. And, we didn't even do a quarter of what we had hoped to do. We can't wait to go back!

It seems there was an Old Time Photography Studio on every corner! Lucky for me, taking those type of pictures has always been on my bucket list. It surprises me that neither Matt nor I had ever made them. Well, I can proudly mark it off my bucket list because we wasted little time to take our own Old Timey style photograph!

Zachary LOVED playing dress up! He and Matt were cowboys and I was a Southern Belle. In the first picture Zachary is pointing his pistol right at the camera, I am amazed that he held it correctly first try...but, the toy pistol disappears in the picture because he was holding it directly at the camera, I'm rambling :) ...




Doesn't Zachary make a cute cowboy?! Such a handsome little boy!!

I have yet to download the pictures that are on my camera. But, once I get them on my computer I have a few more pictures of our trip to share.

Halloween 2011
Zachary's first Halloween was experienced with his Grandparents! We all had a wonderful evening celebrating our little Yellow Jacket! And, Zachary seemed to enjoy being in costume.

Matt & I agreed before hand that this year Matt, Poppi & Bop-Bop would walk Zachary trick-or-treating while Nonnie and I staid back at the house to pass out candy (next year we will switch roles). So, when Zachary walked away I couldn't help but tear up with joy! For approximately 10 years I dreamed of the day we would have our child home to go trick-or-treating! And, I was finally blessed to experience it's reality! The evening started with a short walk to the tennis courts to witness the neighborhood parade!

A little while later, Nonnie and I spotted our little Yellow Jacket walking towards out house and trick-or-treating at the houses nearest us. (We both hugged and had another joyful moment.) Once back home, Zachary (still in costume) helped us pass out candy to all the children. He was tickled to be able to answer the door, greet the little goblins & put candy into their bags. He eagerly jumped up to get his duties in motion!

Maybe because this year's Halloween was on a Monday, but we did not have near the trick-or-treaters as in years past. We ended up only passing out 1/2 of the candy we purchased to pass out.

It was a FUN night!

Here is a new video of Zach reciting the alphabet, start to finish, guest starring his grandfather, Bop Bop.

Here is Zachary the Yellow Jacket---The Z-Man in his Halloween 2011 costume

Hello friends & family!

Because of our recent cold snap we made a trip to our local Walmart to purchase our little boy winter hats & gloves. Thinking ahead we purchased several hats & three gloves & 2 sets of warm long johns. I am confident, just like my own, the gloves will magically disappear by the end of the season.

We also perused the costume isle. We came across a Zoro cape & mask. I thought every little boy should have a cape!! But, to my amazement, once home he had absolutely no interest in the cape (and, he even refused to put on his pants). But, he quickly adorned his head with one of his new winter hats & put on the Zoro mask and said they were his "glasses like Mama". And, I ran down the hall to grab my camera!!

Digging for his microphone Zachary stood up and exclaimed...

"Ta-Da!".


One of his toys has a shoe string for lacing pegs. I was amazed when he stood up and started to jump with it like it was a jump rope. I am not sure where he picked that up or if it is just a natural thing to do with a shoe string. Either way I was glad I had my camera there to capture the moment.



Have a GREAT day! MMMMmmWWWwwaaa! xoxo

Let's dress up...hmmm...which hat goes with this shoe!?!

Strike & pose, now Vogue!

A few months ago I was organizing Zachary's dresser & closet, which always feels like a chore. I ended up putting his dress up box in his closet. And, truly , out of sight out of mind! The other day, I was back at it again--sorting his summer and winter clothes and in the process I pulled out his dress up box. Zachary quickly got into the box and he had a blast pulling everything out and trying it all on himself and he even dressed up his Daddy too!

When we realized Zachary loved to wear hats we went on a search around town looking for inexpensive things to create a boys dress up box with. As with most things in the stores, girls have so many more options for dress up. But, now that Halloween is around the corner we can add to his box much easier. His creativity & imagination is getting better with ever passing day... his growth is amazing!Say "Cheese!"

Just a quick post to let you know of Zach's "identity crisis". He can't decide if he is a boy or a dog...You decide!

Another Fall Festival, the continuation of our Sunday adventure...

In years past, LBZ (Life Before Zachary), we would travel hours to the biggest and best know fall festivals in our state. However, now that we are traveling with a child we have become quick learners. There are festivals all around us, some practically in our very own backyard! Our goal this year was to visit any that are a stone throw's distance away. During the process we met various people (vendors & attendees) willing to share information on other festivals that they suggested we check out! Thus, our fall festival list is ever growing!

To find last Sunday's festival we did a little google search and came across a nearby area called Auburn. Now, being a BAMA graduate I was a little turned off by the name of the city...and thus the name of the fair "AuburnFest"...but, since BAMA is having an excellent football season I decided I would put my pride behind me and step out to their "little" festival ;)

As stated above, being new parents (to a toddler no less) our second fall festival lesson was to arrive as soon as the festival starts. Being one of the first visitors allows us to get in and get out (before the heat of the day and the crowds overwhelm)!! As always, it was Zach's lucky day. He was the ONLY child in line for the jump house. His ALL TIME FAVORITE "bounce till Mommy pulls you out" event. And, since he was the only child in attendance, and jumping his heart out, the owner of the inflatables told us to stay as long as we want and in fact hey- "why don't y'all move on over to the obstacle course"...and, "lady since you are taking pictures feel free to walk along the equipment and snap away". "Thanks Mr. Inflatable!!!!! Hoot hoot!!"

So, onto the obstacle course we went. Once Zachary realized his Daddy was going inside the obstacle course with him his face lit up like a Christmas tree! Both Miller boys had a fabulous time making their way through and over every obstacle put in their way.
Now, I feel like I should explain these next few pictures. As Matt is climbing his one and only child up the ladder he knew there HAD to be another side to the climb that would be as equally steep. But he wasn't sure exactly what the challenge was going to be or how he was going to manage Zachary.

Notice Zachary's face at the top of the slide when he realizes "OMG, this is steep". Then Notice Matt's face when he realized "OMG, this is steep" but then Zachary recognizes, "OMG, what a slope, time to S.L.I.D.E.!!!"



And, slide they did! With his eyes closed & the biggest smile on his face!

After a little shopping we took a break next to the red train. Zachary is quickly becoming obsessed with trains and as he likes to imitate them "Choo-Choo!!"


We had a fabulous day and a great time at the festival. And, I'm glad to see that my precious son feels the same way I do about "Auburn"!

Roll Tide, Roll!!

It's an easy Sunday morning to sail away.

A few weekends ago, at our local Public Safety fair, Zachary made an egg carton sail boat. Which has been sitting by our back door waiting to be sailed. Lucky for us, one of our local parks recently completed a man made estuary canal, creek thingy next to the play ground. Complete with stepping stones! Early afternoon Sunday we packed up our truck and headed out for another exciting day.

As you can see, the boat is made out of a Styrofoam hull, a straw for a mast & the weak link- a flimsy piece of construction paper for the sail. The egg-boat really took off, until the sail got soaked. Regardless, the current in the water managed to keep the boat moving along for quite a show!

Concentration is a necessary skill for any ships captain...tongue is optional.

Once we felt confident Zachary wasn't interested in getting into the creek, we allowed him free reign. He had a blast & we enjoyed watching him. The Miller boys are already drawing up engineering plans to improve their water vessel. I think they should start by naming her. Maybe something like "Water Walker" or "Grace under water" or "Don't fall in".

We also visited one of our local festivals Sunday. We will share those pictures in a few days. Thanks for visiting our blog! We hope you are all enjoying this beautiful season too! Blessings to you and yours!

To be continued...

Happy Fall Y'all! We have been enjoying a wonderful weekend with lots of fall festivities planned & we have been blessed with excellent weather to be outdoors!

Saturday we visited a Church Pumpkin Sale & Poppi's County fair. It was a first for us all! And, we were VERY impressed with the magnitude of the rides, games & fair food!

Zachary did not want to ride most of the rides. However, he loved to watch all the children having a fun time. Zach did get to ride another Pony! This time he seemed more at ease in the saddle!

Zach's favorite ride was the carousel ride. This particular one went much faster than the one at our local mall. He just laughed & squealed his way through it!

When it came time to do a little face painting, he didn't want anything to do with it. We paid for our ticket, attempted to get him to cooperate but in the end we had to ask for our money back and walk away. Maybe next year!

Matt was able to complete something from his bucket list...

He rode the mechanical bull for over a minute before he did a face plant! I am so proud of him!! Check!!

The petting zoo was a mad house! But, it was packed full of animals waiting for a treat. This time we saw goats, cows, rabbits, llamas, ducks, geese, pigs, Koi fish, honey bees (no petting allowed) & sheep. And, we had food to feed them. The llama tickled Z's hand as he made sure to get every last morsel.

When it was time to go home poor Z wanted his Mommy, who wanted more pictures...

Alligator tears, Bless him!

We enjoyed high 60's this past Saturday. And, we went out to our local public safety festival. Zachary had a blast climbing on the various fire trucks & police equipment!

We found out the hard way that Zachary does NOT like large stuffed mascots! He had a fit when we attempted to get his picture with Maxi-mus the mascot for the Gwinnett Gladiators, our ECHL hockey team. I suppose we can expect Zachary to react this way for Santa and the Easter Bunny too.

Just today, Matt took Zachary to our local Wallgreens. As they approached the isle of Halloween decorations Zachary began crying. Matt started talking to Zachary pointing out the scary eyes, the scary nose...And, Zachary calmed down and continued by pointing out the scary mouth, the scary hair! Matt said at the end of the encounter Zachary had calmed down and relaxed. Hmmm...hopefully Matt helped Zachary with his fear and when he meets Santa in a few months we can get a decent picture.

Zachary's favorite structure was the jump house. As usual we had a harder time getting Zachary out rather than in! He loves to bounce and jump & he spends most of his day doing just that all around the house.